Gregory Baltoro 65 Review

The Gregory Baltoro 65 combines exceptional load-carrying comfort with a practical array of features, including efficiently designed pockets.

Gregory Mountain Products Men's Baltoro 65, Onyx Black, Small

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Table of Contents

Pros / Reasons to Buy

Suspension system makes it very comfortable to carry heavy loads
Excellent breathability

Cons / Reasons to Avoid

It’s heavier than some comparable models
Water bottles can easily fall out of the holder

The superb comfort and impressive capability to carry heavy loads of this backpack make it ideal for long hiking trips. It has an excellent pocket layout, with easy access to all your equipment and small items. The supportive hip belt, cleverly designed pivoting shoulder straps, and suspension system make this a comfortable backpack to carry in all conditions. These design features mean that although it’s a bit heavier, the extra weight is not noticeable.

Compare to Similar Products:

Product	Osprey Atmos AG 65	Osprey Kestrel 48	Osprey Aether Plus 70	Gregory Paragon 58	Gregory Baltoro 65	Big Agnes Parkview 63	Osprey Aether 65	Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women	The North Face Women's Terra 55	Dueter Air Contact Core 60+10

Buying Options
Our Award	Best for Men	Best Lighter Backpack for Men	Best Large Capacity Backpack for Men					Best for Women	Best Lighter Backpack for Women	Best Large Capacity Backpack for Women
Size	S/M - L/XL	S/M - L/XL	S/M - L/XL	S/M - M/L	S - M - L	M - L	S/M - L/XL	WS - UL	XS/S - M/L	W - Regular
Weight	2 - 2.2 kg	1.9 - 2.1 kg	2.5 - 2.8 kg	1.5 - 1.6 kg	2.1 - 2.4 kg	1.6 - 1.8 kg	2.2 - 2.3 kg	1.3 - 1.4 kg	1.6 - 1.7 kg	2.1 - 2.3 kg
Capacity	65 - 68 liters	46 - 48 litres	68 - 70 liters	58 litres	65 litres	63 + 10 liters	65 - 68 liters	60 liters	55 litres	60 + 10 liters
Load	13.6 – 18 kg	9.1 – 15.9 kg	14 – 27 kg	22.7 kg	22.7 kg	22.7 kg	14 - 27 kg	22.7 kg	N/A	15 - 20 kg
Pockets	9	10	8	6	10	8	5	6	5	8
Torso Lengths	43 - 58.9	40.5 - 58.5 cm	43 - 58.5 cm	38 - 60 cm	40.6 - 55.9 cm	46 - 56 cm	43 - 58.5 cm	38.1 - 60.9 cm	35.5 - 47.7 cm	35 - 62 cm
Rain Cover	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	No	Yes

Editor’s note: This article is part of our buyers guide to waterproof hiking backpacks. See other articles in this series:

Looking for other waterproof gear? Check out our buyers guides on:

Analysis and Test Results

The Gregory Baltoro 65 backpack is one of the best backpacks available for carrying a large amount of equipment. Designed with an emphasis on comfort, the shoulder straps and hip belt adapt to your movements, and the alloy wishbone frame and fiberglass cross-stay provide stability and even weight distribution. The multiple adjustment points on the torso length, hip belt, and shoulder straps allow for a personalized fit, increasing the ease of carrying the load during long hikes. Gregory has used materials that are both durable and sustainable. You get ample storage space, with a large main compartment, a sleeping bag compartment, and ten more pockets for efficient organization. This is a practical, fully-featured backpack ideal for long hiking trips.

See the Gregory Baltoro 65 in more detail:

Performance Comparison

Material

The body of this backpack is made from 210 denier high-density 40% recycled nylon and 420 denier high-density 45% recycled nylon. The base is made of robust 630 denier high-density nylon. The padding on the harness, hip belt, and lumbar regions is Lifespan EVA foam and AirCushion mesh. The frame is reinforced with alloy steel, a fiberglass anti-barrelling cross stay, and HDPE for added durability. The lining consists of 40% post-consumer recycled 135 denier polyester. The buckles are Bluesign-approved and high-quality.

Breathability

This backpack has excellent breathability. The AirCushion Foamless back panel is a 3D structure consisting of over 90% open-air. Moisture-wicking mesh covers the hip belt and shoulder straps.

Waterproofing

All the fabric has been treated with PFC-free DWR (durable water repellant). This backpack should come with a rain cover that stows away in a zippered pocket on the underside of the lid. However, there seems to be some confusion as to whether the rain cover is always included or if you have to buy it separately.

Dimensions

Although this is a big backpack, it has a streamlined look. It comes in three sizes – small, medium and large. The Baltoro is the men’s range, and there is the Deva range for women.

Sizes	Capacity	Weight	Load	Measurements
Small	65 liters 3966.5 cubic inches	2.14 kg 4.7 lbs	22.7 kg 50 lbs	34 x 79 x 34 cm 13.4 x 31 x 13.4 inches
Medium	65 liters 3966.5 cubic inches	2.23 kg 4.9 lbs	22.7 kg 50 lbs	34 x 81 x 34 cm 13.4 x 31.9 x 13.4 inches
Large	65 liters 3966.5 cubic inches	2.38 kg 5.2 lbs	22.7 kg 50 lbs	34 x 84 x 34 cm 13.4 x 33 x 13.4 inches

Fit

There are multiple points of adjustment on this backpack. The torso length can be adjusted by three inches on each side. To change the length, you free the back panel from the internal Velcro pad and move it to your desired setting, then reattach the Velcro. The hip belt can be adjusted in a similar manner with a range of 3.5 inches on each side, giving you a total of 7 inches of adjustability.

	Torso Length	Hip Belt Length
Small	40.6 – 48.3 cm 16 – 19 inches	66 – 121.9 cm 26 – 48 inches
Medium	43.2 – 53.3 cm 17 – 21 inches	71 – 127 cm 28 – 50 inches
Large	45.7 – 55.9 cm 18 – 22 inches	76.2 – 132 cm 30 – 52 inches

Storage

This backpack has lots of pockets and storage options. The main compartment has a front U-zip for easy access to all your gear. At the bottom is a section designed for a sleeping bag with its own zippered opening. This is separated from the main section by a divider held in place with toggles that can be folded away.

The floating lid has three pockets! On the top, you have a small quick-access pocket and a large pocket with a zip. On the underside of the lid is another large zippered pocket with a key clip. This is where the rain cover is designed to go.

On the front, a sizeable stretch-mesh pocket is closed with a buckle. On either side are long, dual-zippered pockets. There is a small pocket on the left-hand side of the pack, while on the right-hand side, there is a water bottle holder that can be folded away if it isn’t being used. While this bottle holder makes it easy to reach your water without taking your rucksack off, it doesn’t secure your bottle very well, so it often falls out.

The hip belt has two large pockets big enough to hold a smartphone. These are made of fabric, not mesh, but they are not fully waterproof. This gives you a total of ten pockets plus the main compartment to organize your gear.

Comfort

One thing that all users agree on is how comfortable this backpack is. The FreeFloat A3 suspension system has dynamic flex panels to move with your back. The auto-rotating shoulder straps adjust individually to each person, and their width, shape, and padding significantly increase the comfort of carrying a load. The alloy frame and fiberglass cross-stay stabilize the load and keep the weight close to your body. The hip belt is well-padded and pivots to move with your movements while still closely hugging your hips.

Features

The Gregory Baltoro 65 is fully featured with everything you need for a hiking trip. In addition to the multiple pockets, there are plenty of lash points and straps to attach extra equipment. Two sets of compression straps on the sides are secured with quick-release buckles. The lower straps are long enough to go around the front of the pack if needed. There are also loops at the bottom to attach a sleeping pad. There are two webbing loops on the lid and eight around the front mesh pocket.

If you want to carry trekking poles or an ice axe, there are two adjustable loops and upper shock locks for securing them. On the hip is an accessory attachment system for things like bear spray holsters. One of our favorite features on the shoulder strap is the Sunglass QuickStow system that safely holds your sunglasses when you’re not wearing them.

Inside the main compartment is a sleeve that can be used for a water pouch. There are also toggles for connecting a day pack. A nice touch is the ComfortGrip molded zipper pulls so you can open the pockets even with cold fingers and wearing gloves. There are also molded webbing keepers to keep excess straps neat and tidy.

The back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt are treated with Polygiene Stays Fresh Technology, which inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria. At the base of the back is a ComfortGrip lumbar pad that helps keep the pack at the correct height and reduces the chances of it slipping.

Durability

The Gregory Baltoro 65 is designed to be a durable backpack. Tougher material has been used in the areas with the most wear and tear. The buckles and zips are all high-quality.

Gregory guarantees the original purchaser that their product will be free from material and workmanship defects for as long as they own it. However, this warranty excludes damages from unreasonable or improper use. If a defect arises due to manufacturing issues, Gregory will repair or replace the backpack. This warranty doesn’t cover damages from misuse like overpacking, neglect, or exposure to harsh conditions. In the event of a covered defect, Gregory will handle all repair or replacement costs, including return shipping. If the product is unavailable, a comparable substitute will be provided.

Sustainability

Gregory conforms to the European REACH standards, and they use Bluesign-approved materials where possible. Their commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment can be seen in their redesign of the Baltoro backpack.

The suspension has been improved, cutting HDPE plastic use by 50% compared to the previous model. They introduced a commercial 3D woven polyester textile for the back panel, replacing typical foam. The pack is made from 40% recycled nylon and 45% recycled high-density nylon, with 40% post-consumer recycled polyester lining. All recycled materials are traceable and treated with PFC-free DWR, reducing environmental impact significantly across various metrics.

Conclusion

This backpack is an excellent option for carrying a heavy load. There are lots of storage options that are intelligently laid out and easy to access, making organizing your gear simple. The frame design, ample padding, pivoting shoulder straps, and hip belt mean that no matter how much you pack into it, the Gregory Baltoro 65 will always feel comfortable to carry. It comes in a wide range of sizes and has plenty of adjustment points.

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